How Counsellors Can Intervene With School Bullying

May 3, 2019

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Being bullied is an awful feeling. Most of us experienced it to some degree during school, whether we were the victims of it or a bystander to it. According to Kids Helpline, one in four students in Australia experience bullying. This number is worrying, as bullying can have many negative effects, including trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, and even in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

There are several different types of bullying, these include: physical, verbal, social, damage to property, and cyberbullying. School counsellors are trained to handle situations of bullying in several different ways, from conflict resolution if and when it occurs, to implementing programs and activities aimed at preventing bullying from happening in the future.

If students feel like they will be listened to, supported and receive help with their situation, then it can encourage them to come forward and report the bullying they are experiencing.

Bradley University has outlined two helpful methods school counsellors can implement to prevent bullying and assist those who are experiencing it.

Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) is a curriculum that promotes emotional and social learning. The PATHS Training official site says the program’s aim is to reduce “aggression and behaviour problems in elementary school-aged children while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom”. The program should be taught two or more times per week, with each session lasting at least 20 minutes.

PATHS hopes to encourage students to empathise with their peers, and aims to empower them in resolving conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner. The program also provides evaluation kits and training workshops to allow for schools and counsellors to measure their success rates after implementation.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a method of psychotherapy that attempts to help people learn to manage difficult or stressful situations more effectively. CBT methods can be useful for managing anxiety and stress by attempting to disrupt the negative thinking patterns associated with these feelings. CBT aims to lessen the feelings of self-doubt that come with anxiety, and to help victims of bullying rebuild their confidence and get back control of their life.

CBT treatment involves a series of steps, but typically includes assessment of the situation, providing suggestions or reading material related to the issue being faced, setting goals, practising strategies, and homework such as keeping a journal and incorporating strategies into daily life. According to Bradley University, CBT is “one of the most effective therapies in addressing the emotional distress caused by bullying”.

School counsellors offer important therapy for those experiencing bullying by listening to the issues they’re facing and assisting them in processing difficult feelings. If helping students who are struggling with bullying is something that you think would be a fulfilling job, then it could be worth considering a career as a counsellor. Online educational institutions, like Open Colleges, offer a Diploma of Counselling, which is a nationally recognised qualification that includes practical work placement.

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